Chapter 74 Section 74

There was no movement outside, but there was a lively discussion in the palace to discuss the repair of the garden. Not only the emperor often summoned the Minister of Internal Affairs, but also the Empress Dowager Cixi often performed in Shufangzhai. Inquiries and instructions.The preliminary project has been roughly decided. Of course, the two palace gates must be repaired. The Zhengda Guangming Hall, Qinzheng Hall and Baiguan Court House, which are in charge of politics, must be repaired.The Qingyan area of ​​Kyushu is the emperor's bedroom, which is the original intention of repairing the garden.However, "Tiandi Family Spring" is the place where the Empress Dowager Cixi received her kindness and favor. Looking back on the present and recalling the past, she yearned infinitely. Therefore, a place was specially selected for remodeling in the Wanchun Garden, which was customarily dedicated to nourishing the Empress Dowager, following the "Tiandi Family Spring" concept. old name.

There are more than 3,000 houses in these simple places, and the labor cost is estimated to be 10 million taels of silver.According to the calculations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, apart from the donations from the princes and ministers, Governor Ruilin of Guangdong and Guangxi and Governor Wu Tang of Sichuan have received a lot of kindness, and they must be the conscience of all heavens and serve them wholeheartedly.And these two places are rich and wealthy places, and they can afford it.In addition, Liangjiang, Zhili, and Huguang will certainly not fall behind.What's more, ten million taels of silver are not used all at once. For example, over a period of ten years, only one million taels of silver will be distributed every year. Ten governors and fifteen governors, on average, each will only pay 40,000 taels of silver per year. , is really nothing.

This is just waiting for the issuance of the edict.Everything needs to go smoothly at the beginning, so when this edict is issued is very particular, the most important thing is to choose the most appropriate time. By the end of September, let's see if it's time. The Shuntian Township Examination has passed, and the scholars who love to comment on current affairs have gone out, and a group of scholars and political scholars have been released. I found a fat vacancy, and the admiral studied politics in Sichuan. In addition, Huang Tifang went to Shandong, Wu Dachen went to Shaanxi, Zhang Jun went to Guangdong, and Wang Wenzai went to Hubei.And the best part is that Wen Xiang took sick leave and went back to Shengjing to recuperate.

So the emperor wrote a Zhu Yu in his own handwriting: "I think that the empress dowagers of the two palaces have listened to the government behind the curtain for eleven years. They have worked day and night, prepared extremely hard, worked hard to synthesize all opportunities, and accepted public opinion with an open mind. Since the twenty-sixth day of the first lunar month of this year, I have been in charge of the government, and I have been grateful for the kindness every day. Among the books I have seen in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, there is the collection of poems "Forty Views of the Old Summer Palace" made by Emperor Sejongxian One part, because I remembered that the Old Summer Palace was originally the place where the ancestors stayed and listened to the government; since the imperial court, the empress dowagers of the two palaces have not lived in the garden, so I really feel uneasy, and I want to return to the old system every day. But now that the treasury is running out of funds, if it is repaired as usual and the funds from the Ministry's reserves are used, I am afraid that it will not be enough. The hall of residence, and the place where I stay and listen to the government, choose to build it, and the rest of the places to visit will not be repaired, that is, officials from both inside and outside Beijing, below the princes, will donate to the best of their ability. Please award; and the minister will prepare for the verification and handling, so that the common people can entertain the sacred hearts of the empress dowagers of the two palaces, and I can use up my little enthusiasm. Special instructions."

This Zhu Yu should first go to the military aircraft office, and the case should be recorded as "passing Zhu", and then sent to the cabinet for publication.But the "Dalami" on duty dared not follow the routine procedures, so he rode out of the palace and went to Jianyuan in Daxiangfeng Hutong to ask Prince Gong for instructions. After reading Zhu Yu, King Gong could only sigh.He had always planned that the Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor would retreat in spite of difficulties, but if he dismissed the original intention, the "Tianwei" would not be damaged-this is the so-called "drying in the shade" strategy.It seems that I have misread this matter.

"Please Liu Ye's instruction, should I send it to the cabinet for distribution immediately? Or suppress it?" "What do you think?" Prince Gong asked "Dalami" and said, "Can it be suppressed, can't it be suppressed?" "The emperor has been thinking about it for many days. I don't think it can be suppressed. It is not good to force it." Prince Gong pondered, and nodded slowly, with a comprehended expression. If he couldn't hold it back, he could only use the word "vent" to vent the emperor's strength, and then he could turn the big work into the small, and the small work into nothing. .

"Yes! Hard pressure is not good. Send it to the cabinet immediately." Before the cabinet announced it, the news had already spread, Shen Guifen rushed to Prince Gong first, followed by Li Hongzao, Bao Yun, "Fifth Lord", "Seventh Lord" and other princes, all came to Jianyuan.However, the purpose of coming here is different. The Minister of Military Aircraft is discussing how to cancel the matter. The two kings, Dun and Chun, depend on the attitude of Prince Gong. The other princes are here to inquire about the "market situation". Prince Gong was very calm, "We must honor the emperor's filial piety. But no one dares to say if this matter can be done or not."

He said to King Dun, "Fifth brother, please go back first, let's meet at Lao Qi later." The other princes deal with it like this, please go back to the mansion first, and then listen to the information.After everyone was perfunctory away, he went back to the study and had a secret talk with the Minister of Military Aircraft. "Trouble is coming, I can't push it away even if I want to. What do you guys mean? Tell me!" Prince Gong added another sentence: "Don't worry about it." "What is the emperor's idea?" Shen Guifen took the opportunity to squeeze Li Hongzao, "The one who knows the most is Lan Sun. I think I have heard of it before?"

"yes".Li Hongzao was quite sad in his heart, his eyes were red, and he looked very excited, which was different from Prince Gong's composure, Shen Guifen's calmness, and Bao Jun's seemingly indifferent demeanor. "The emperor once mentioned it to me, and I have made a secret report more than once. Naturally, I dare not criticize the filial piety of the emperor. I said: the queen mother of the two palaces is in her prime, and the days of loving kindness and joy are long, so there is no need to rush As for the hardships of the people's livelihood, if the state is not enough, I don't know how many times Chen Zou has said, who knows that the holy heart will not accept it, so what can I do?"

"You can't be helpless. You have to find a way to find out what the emperor means." Shen Guifen said, "If it's just for explaining filial piety, things are easy to handle. If the emperor himself has the pleasure of watching, then just It took a lot of work.” "Of course it's because I'm interested in sightseeing, and the emperor is young and aggressive, and he wants to restore the old system, so I'm afraid I can't do it if I cancel this discussion. In my opinion, the only thing I can say is when." Bao Jun looked at it. Prince Gong asked, "Does Liu Ye plan to repay you?"

Prince Gong thought for a while and smiled: "There is a saying, please keep it in your heart, 'What you take first, you must give first', I plan to repay 20,000 silver." Everyone was tacit, and they all nodded.So, the next day, the guards sent by Prince Gong took a silver bill of 20,000 taels of silver and sent it to the House of Internal Affairs to hand over the precious treasure in person.The people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs were very excited. Prince Gong made the donation first, which was an expression of support for the garden. It was expected that donations from officials and officials would come in a steady stream. This is the thinking of people below the Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Among the ministers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one is older and has seen a lot, and the other has the opportunity to contact princes and ministers, and understands the subtleties of it better. But optimistic, no matter what, it is necessary to find out the tone of Prince Gong. So Mingshan visited the Jianyuan at night.He is a frequent visitor, even if Prince Gong falls asleep, he can go to the bed to chat. This night, Prince Gong just had a leisurely time, washing a newly acquired inkstone in person, wearing short clothes and casual shoes, and the hospitality was very simple, but It can also be said to be kind. After talking some gossip, Mingshan began to worry, not knowing how to lead the conversation to the main topic?I don't know how many times I have seen it in the past few months. Ming Shan deliberately didn't talk about the garden workers, and Prince Gong also deliberately didn't ask, but suddenly mentioned it at this time, which is quite abrupt.After much deliberation, Mingshan felt that the only way to get straight to the point was more appropriate. "I have something to do today, and I have to ask the sixth master for instructions." He said, "The emperor suddenly issued such a decree, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs was caught blind! What should we do? We must have something from the sixth master, so that everyone can follow along .” Prince Gong knew his purpose and prepared for it long ago.He and Shen Guifen have carefully studied the edict, "Now that the treasury is running low, if it is repaired as usual and the funds from the Ministry's reserves are used, it may not be enough." In these few words, there is a foreshadowing, implication, If the treasury is rich, the funds saved by the Ministry must be used. In other words, in the name of donating for repairs, a heavy burden in the future will still be borne on the heads of those in power.So from now on, we have to stay far away, teach them not to mess with them, and when the internal affairs government is exhausted, they will naturally stop.Although he had to waste hundreds of thousands of silver if he gave up halfway, it was still worth it after all the calculations. Therefore, Prince Gong replied vigorously: "You don't need to ask me. Zhu Yu wrote it clearly, so you can do it! I have always been short of money, so I will donate 20,000 yuan first, and in October, I will give it to you." A Zhuangzi has paid the rent and interest, and I will donate it. I can rely on everyone to pay for it and repair the garden, why not do it? Great, great!" Hearing these words, Ming Shan gasped, Prince Gong's attitude was very clear, it is fine to repay privately, but there is no need to talk about it in business.It seems that it will take a lot of trouble to fight against the head of the Hubu hall official. The words are not speculative, so there is no need to say more, Mingshan agreed: "Yes!" He then said a few perfunctory words in general, and returned disappointed. There are also things that are disappointing, and there are very few people who donate in return, and there are sparse remonstrances in the imperial history.Shen Huai, the censor of Shaanxi Province, his memorial is very brief: "Since thinking that the Old Summer Palace is the office of our dynasty, it should have been repaired in time to look spectacular, but at present, things are not calm in the west, and the north and south are suffering from drought, so it seems inappropriate to add it. Work; the emperor's practice of frugality must not be a matter of no urgency, because of the ignorance of the ignorant people, there are rumors, sincerely fearing that it will tire the holy virtue, so it is too presumptuous to be frightened." The emperor saw it and was furious.Following Xiao Li's suggestion, he decided to "get off his horse", so as to teach his successors to be afraid and daunting. So he summoned the military aircraft the next day, and first asked Prince Gong about Shen Huai's background. Prince Gong is very familiar with Shen Huai, because he was originally a military aircraft Zhang Jing.Zhang Jing of the military plane has his own job, even the "Da Jiuqing" who has been promoted to the third rank can still work on the military plane. An expression of slavery. So King Gong reported Shen Huai's resume. His name was Dongchuan, a native of Ningbo, and a Juren in the 29th year of Daoguang. Speaking of this, Prince Gong added in a hurry: "This Shen Huai is a loyal minister." Just this one sentence stopped abruptly, which sounded particularly noticeable, and the emperor immediately asked, "How can you see that?" "In that year, the first emperor hunted Rehe in autumn. Because he was not good enough to follow, he felt the righteousness of the emperor's humiliation and death, so he threw himself into a well. When he was rescued, his will to die was still very firm. Only after the news of arriving in Rehe did Shen Huai eat." The emperor was stunned when he heard this, and he couldn't distinguish between love and hate, but felt extremely embarrassed and boring.At the same time, I am quite confused, why such a coincidence?But the first one to play is such a "loyal minister" who can't help him!Could it be that it was a deliberate arrangement to teach him to "lead the battle"! For a moment, I was extremely confused, and felt at a loss, so I gathered myself together and thought of a sentence: "Teach him to 'hand out the sign' tomorrow, I have something to ask him." "Yes!" Prince Gong already heard about Shen Huai's admonition to suspend the garden workers, so if he wanted to ask, he would not ask about the garden workers, but what the emperor meant, he had to ask to understand, so he continued: " The family law of the ancestors is not easy to summon the officials, and they always issue decrees, and they "understand the answer". What is the order for the emperor to summon Shen Huai? It seems appropriate to declare in advance." "Then just watch it!" The emperor played Shen Huai and handed it over.After King Gong read it aloud and let the other three military ministers understand it, the emperor said angrily: "What's there about 'foolish people and ignorance, rumors'? I would like to ask him, what do the people say about me? ?” Hearing that the emperor's tone was still relaxed, Prince Gong knew that his strategy of praising Shen Huai's loyal ministers had worked.So after retiring, he immediately went to Zhang Jingjiang, who was still on duty in the same year as Shen Huai, and asked him to summon him. At the same time, he told Shen Huai to rest assured that there would be no punishment. Seeing Shen Huai, he conveyed Prince Gong's words.Jiang Renjing himself had a private story from a friend of the same year, saying that Prince Gong and the ministers had a tacit understanding that the emperor was in a state of excitement, so it was inconvenient to pour cold water on it, and try to dispel it when things got cold.Since the garden workers will definitely stop, it is better to be silent. "Yes." Shen Huai replied, "I'm just like a bone stuck in my throat, I just have to say it!" "I've already said it, so I don't need to say it again. Dongchuan," Jiang Renjing said earnestly, "The emperor is very filial. Hearing that you died in the past, I will definitely not make things difficult for you. However, tomorrow It is inevitable that you will be reprimanded if you are summoned, you don’t have to argue with the emperor, it’s best to learn the secret method passed down by the elder Wu Zhong, meet more and talk less!” "Yes, yes!" Shen Huai agreed repeatedly, but he had other plans in his heart, and he wanted to make a serious statement, hoping to thank Tianxin and issue an edict to stop the garden work immediately. Having said that, but he has always been short of eloquence, so he was summoned alone the next day, he was so close to Tianyan, he yelled at him loudly, and he was unavoidably frightened. Now that he was full of words, it became more difficult to say, he just kept repeating: "Xing Zuo Mi At that time, I am afraid that I will be tired of the saints!" The emperor reprimanded Shen Huai with the words "great filial piety nourishes one's will", and as expected put away "dismounting power".At the same time, Shen Huai's memorial could neither be kept, nor could he be said to be wrong, so in order to perfunctoryly discuss, he had to make some concessions. The emperor's concession was to renew his self-restraint, to admit that Shen Huai's words were justified, and to show that "I practice frugality and be the first in the world, so why would I continue to do construction work to increase costs?" I said that "material resources are difficult, and matters should be frugal", so I chose Anyou Palace and other places that must be repaired, "Slightly repair, but not too luxurious. The rest do not need to be repaired, so as to save the rest." This is the edict of King Gong. Chengzhi, Zhuanzhi Junji Zhang Jing drafted it. The original manuscript has a strong sense of self-condemnation. The emperor has changed a lot, but he already feels very wronged by such wording.However, some of the court scholars became vigilant from the sentence "not to be too extravagant", thinking that the garden workers would not be able to stop at the beginning, and they should take this opportunity to try to dispel it. Therefore, as long as you can manage to delay the new year, then you can't start construction next year, and the gardening will stop and stop. So Shen Huai's colleague, You Baichuan, the supervisory censor of Fujian Province, made persistent efforts to write a memorial.There must be a reason for exhortations. Huang Huang's edict, which not only uses filial piety as the topic, but also repeatedly uses frugality as the words, seems to be difficult to refute. Focusing on the safety of the emperor, he believed that living in the Nine Layers, with strict guards, was safer than the palace. As for the access control of the Old Summer Palace, it must not be as strict as the inner city. Because my Majesty stays here, I also have the heart to look forward to it. I built a hut near the Old Summer Palace, and it is impossible to listen to it. No worries." As soon as the memorial was delivered, the emperor put all the sulking anger from Shen Huai on You Baichuan.It's just a matter of experience and wisdom, and with Shen Huai's lessons learned, he refused to worry about it, so he first found Xiao Li and asked about You Baichuan's background. Xiao Li knew nothing but: "This You Yushi is from Master Du's hometown." "Master Du?" The emperor counted the masters in the study one by one, and asked in surprise, "That Master Du?" "Master of the late emperor." "Oh, you mean Master Du Shoutian Du. What does that matter?" The emperor said with an emphasis: "I still want to dismiss him!" Hearing this, Xiao Li was secretly happy, but also a little worried.This year, he read the memorials of serving the emperor, and he also knows a lot about political affairs. He knows that the position of a revolution officer is not a trivial matter, and it may cause an uproar. "Resignation is dismissal, and starting work is starting work." The emperor meant that the raw rice should be cooked, and everyone had to accommodate the facts, so he asked, "When is the Ministry of Internal Affairs planning to start work?" "The chosen date is October 15th..." "No!" the emperor interrupted him and said, "Quickly ask if you can start work tomorrow, the sooner the better." Of course the Ministry of Internal Affairs complied.Fortunately, starting construction is not as good as building a beam. You have to carefully choose the auspicious day and time. Take a look at the imperial calendar and choose the next day-the eighth day of October, when the "Yinmao is not bright" in late autumn.At the same time, without waiting for the announcement, the deacons, officials, craftsmen and servants were immediately summoned out of the city, planning overnight, and at the beginning of the morning, the ground was cleaned up and the muck was transported, which was considered to be the start of work. So the emperor summoned the two kings Gongchun and You Baichuan.The reason why Wang Jin was summoned was because he also had a secret performance, admonishing to stop the garden workers, and the emperor deliberately asked him to come and listen, which was also a way of killing chickens and monkeys. The three of them entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation together, but they were not summoned at the same time. King Gong and King Chun met the emperor first, and then the eunuch gave an order to lead You Baichuan to the hall. "Are you the Hanlin in the first year of Tongzhi?" the emperor asked. "yes!" "Then, when you were in the capital at that time, you naturally heard and saw how the empress dowagers of the two palaces worried about state affairs and turned the crisis into safety, and you were very clear about it?" "Yes!" You Baichuan replied: "The empress dowagers of the two palaces have turned around, protected the saints, and listened to the government behind the curtain. After eleven years of painstaking management, the current situation has begun. The majesty of Shengde is unprecedented." "Since you know this, let me ask you, why not honor meritorious deeds, take care of yourself and build happiness in the Old Summer Palace?" "I must not dare to speak in vain." You Baichuan thought for a while and replied: "The imperial edict is brilliant, and the whole world shares it. It's just that there are often foreigners coming and going in the Xishan area. I'm afraid they will also build houses there, so it's not suitable for viewing." "Is it okay to keep the dilapidated place?" You Baichuan wanted to say: Keeping that dilapidated place can be used as a vigilance for the defeat in the past.But these words are too straightforward, and the emperor must not listen to them, which will not help the matter.So he replied: "Although the Old Summer Palace is dilapidated, if it is not repaired, it will show the virtue of frugality at home and abroad." "According to what you say, my words of filial piety and Chenghuan are all empty words!" According to the emperor, if the Old Summer Palace is not built, there will be no way of filial piety?These words seemed to be unreasonable, You Baichuan had no choice but to not answer. "You said that foreigners often come and go to Xishan. Are there no foreigners inside and outside the Nine Cities of the capital?" "It has already been said in the minister's memorial." You Baichuan replied, "The palace walls are high and steep, and it is difficult for foreigners to see the sky. It is different from the situation in the Old Summer Palace." "Why is it different? Can foreigners break into the garden at will?" The emperor was a little indignant, "The world belongs to the Qing Dynasty. Because there are foreigners here, I want to avoid him everywhere. What are you talking about? Is it the truth in that book?" "I'm stupid. I'm just afraid that foreigners will blaspheme God's power. Moreover, the sacred drive is the most important thing, and you should be careful in guarding against idleness." "Hmph!" The emperor sneered, "You guys are good at taking things out of context, and saying what you say at a time, and don't want to think about your own inconsistencies! In this case, why don't you let foreigners ask for an audience this summer?" This is beyond reason!You Baichuan had no choice but to talk about another reason in his memorial: "There is a time for work, so it seems imprudent not to rush to start work this year. In the future, when the weather and human affairs are appropriate, I will not dare to dissuade you." "It's your insincere words again! Sure enough, at that time, you must have something to say." The emperor seemed not to want to argue any more, so he said the conclusion he had thought about beforehand: "In short, you have nothing to do with this book. Let the world know that you have fulfilled your responsibilities, and you are earning fame with all your heart. How can you realize my filial piety? If I approve your memorial, the world will say that I am the king who accepts advice, and it will become like this. , pretending to be filial, and bullying the empress dowagers of the two palaces! Think about who I have become? There are many things that should be promoted and reformed in the national economy and people's livelihood. I don't see any suggestions from you, but you want to stop my filial heart. Two The empress dowager works day and night to bring peace to chaos, so is it worth building a garden to entertain her old age? Where is your conscience?" Seeing the emperor talking agitatedly, his face turned pale and blue, Prince Gong was afraid that You Baichuan would not know how to look up and down, and if you said a few straightforward words, it would hit the emperor's anger, and it would be difficult to save him if there was any "severe condemnation" at that time.So following the emperor's words, he said: "You Baichuan! You must keep in mind the emperor's instructions." There was no reason to put the emperor's instructions to the back of his mind, so You Baichuan naturally agreed: "Yes!" "Kneel down!" Prince Gong said again, "Go back and wait for the order." When You Baichuan knelt down and retreated, the emperor was still angry, and said to Prince Gong: "This You Baichuan is much more hateful than Shen Huai! You take this Zhu Yu down and do it." The emperor had another Zhu Yu, which was written with great effort under the lamp the night before, learning from the imperial brushes of the Yong and Qian dynasties.Both Yongzheng and Qianlong were conceited and eloquent, and they liked to litigate with their ministers. The imperial pen issued thousands of words, and the analysis was subtle, and when they couldn't make a turn, they threatened them with prestige, so there was no decree. It's not unreasonable to come.The same is true for the emperor. Zhu Yu started with "Since ancient times, when a ruler issues orders and takes measures, he should not rely on his own knowledge. He must discuss with a group of officials. If it is feasible, it will be done, and if it is not possible, it will be stopped." Such an ending: "The censor You Baichuan will be dismissed immediately, and he will be warned by the censors of the Manchu and Han Dynasties. If he will play later and ask for a delay, I will punish myself!" After listening to Wang Gong's recitation, King Chun couldn't help wishing that his temperament was more straightforward, and he was quite self-proclaimed in the past two years, so he said loudly: "The minister said to the emperor, there is an old saying: 'The speaker is innocent'... …” Hearing that King Chun's words were contradictory, King Gong hurriedly said, "I also have something to say." He blocked King Chun, and then calmly said, "You Baichuan's ignorance is indeed abominable, but the day after tomorrow will be the longevity of the Holy Mother and Empress Dowager. Let the world celebrate together. It seems inappropriate for the emperor to carry out such a heavy reprimand during the 'flower dress period'. I request that you temporarily return Zhu Yu and discuss it after the celebration?" When the emperor heard this, he was silent.If you want to "get off the horse", you are so incompetent. The previous time was when you met someone who had no choice but this time when you met someone who had no choice.There was no other choice but Zhun Zuo, "Okay!" he said, "Bring Zhu Yu back first!" Once this Zhu Yu was handed back, Prince Gong refused to let it be issued again.On the same day, Liu Fujin was called into the palace. In the name of wishing longevity, he took the time to tell the Empress Dowager Ci'an, saying that the emperor's filial piety is certainly respectable, but repairing the garden is a happy thing. Kill the scenery.Empress Dowager Ci'an naturally obeyed, so she told Empress Dowager Cixi again. "The emperor is messing around!" The Empress Dowager Cixi knew very well that once this Zhu Yu was issued, the world would blame the empress dowagers of the two palaces, so she didn't take it seriously. "Wait for me to tell him." That day, the Empress Dowager Cixi summoned the emperor and asked for Zhu Yu. After reading it, she praised him for his good writing, but she disagreed with him because the matter of repairing the garden was harmful but not beneficial.So Zhu Yu and You Baichuan's memorials were "flooded" together! Mercy is hard to disobey, and the emperor was extremely disappointed.In those few days, many people were unlucky, and Zhang Zuo was very unlucky, and if there was a slight disagreement, he would hit a wall.Fortunately, within a few days, a great event came.Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu Province, flew into the concert, Suzhou was restored, Ma Wenlu, the leader of the Hui rebellion, was executed, and Bai Yanhu fled to Hami.The rebellion in Guanlong, which had been postponed for ten years and spent five years as an army, was finally brought to an end. In terms of rewards for meritorious deeds, Zuo Zongtang also paid homage to the prime minister, and also assisted in the appointment of a bachelor to stay as the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, and was changed from a riding captain to a first-class light car captain.Zuo Zongtang admired Liu Songshan's achievements and was willing to transfer his post to Liu Songshan's heir.The imperial court rewarded Liu Songshan as a first-class captain of light vehicles.In addition, Liu Jintang, Liu Songshan's nephew, and generals such as Zhang Yao and Song Qing, who were born in the Yu army and followed the left west expedition, all gave great favors. However, the most happy thing about Guan Long's use of troops was not Zuo Zongtang, nor the soldiers of the Western Expedition, but Guibao, Wenxi and other officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Apart from the report from Suzhou, the autumn flood happened to have passed , all over the country reported "Anlan", and those who advised against gardening workers, the two reasons they held have disappeared. "Didn't you say 'the Western Expedition is not settled, and the north and the south are suffering from drought'?" Guibao said happily, with a bit of pride, "what else are they talking about now?" This is also the idea in the palace. First of all, the Empress Dowager Cixi felt that it was the royal family's turn to spend money!Ping Hongyang, Ping Nian Army, Ping Hui Luan, borrowed foreign debts from Lijin, and I don’t know how many generals have become fat. Although the big wedding cost a lot of money, it was everyone’s face, and the royal family never got any benefits.Now, to save millions of military pay for the Western Expedition, why not repair the Old Summer Palace on a small scale first?Therefore, she began to personally participate in gardening.She doesn't care about other places, but what she cares about is the "Heaven and Earth Family Spring" project.This is the old road of Yuanmingyuan Middle Road. It was relocated and built in the "Three Gardens". The Wanchun Garden dedicated to the Empress Dowager was built as a "Four Scrolls Hall".Facing the water in the north of the original site, there was a Wenyue Tower, which was changed to a water pavilion, named "Chengguang Pavilion".In the west near the Shengping Office, a theater hall was built, with a stage, a play room, and a room for actors to rest. It was called the place where the empresses of the two palaces took care of themselves. The space and the carved patterns were all drawn by her. Of course, there are still those who give advice, but only from foreign officials.Xie Weihan, who studied politics in Shanxi as an editor, made a note. Because he already knew the "market", he targeted the Empress Dowager Cixi with affection.He said: "The matter of Gengshen is something that my ministers cannot bear to say, and the empress dowager cannot bear to think about it. Recently, when the subjects passed by the place, they saw the vastness and desolation of the forest, and they still shed tears. The accumulation of loyalty and anger, the kindness of the former emperor was touching. Deep also. Today the great hatred has not been avenged. Once the land is repaired, the empress dowager and the emperor will come here every year. Every year, there will be a terrace and a pavilion. The scenery is very different in the past. , just like at present, the empress dowager's heart must be very sad, and she can't live in it for a while! I wanted to use this to please the two palaces and saints, but it hurt the scene, and I harbored endless regrets; entertainment Turning the eyes makes me sad, and Cheng Huan is suitable to increase the relatives, and the emperor who returns to the original heart of filial piety will be more sad and uneasy, and will regret it for a long time." After this euphemistically worded remonstrance, Xie Weihan proposed to replace the restoration of the Old Summer Palace with "operating the Xiyuan".The words are very reasonable, but God's will is hard to answer, but it is not a crime, the only punishment is to "stay in China" and not answer. Because of the attitude of the Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor, although the donation for repairs is only 148,000 taels of silver, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs is confident, but the silver is always available, but the wood is hard to deal with.In the second year, "Tai Sui violated the crime", it is not suitable to start work, and it must be completed within the year. The day selected by the Qin Tianjian is December 16, Anyou Palace, Zhengda Guangming Hall, and Qingxia Hall in Wanchun Garden, In the spring of the world, there must be pillars everywhere, so that it can catch up with the completion of the Empress Dowager Cixi's 40th birthday in October of the next year.For this reason, the secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had no choice but to ask to dismantle the dock of the Old Summer Palace and replace the big tower with a main beam. As an emergency measure, he kept discussing with Li Guangzhao on how to transport the wooden plants he had paid for to Beijing as soon as possible. "To tell the truth," Li Guangzhao saw that it was time, so he said to Shi Chenglin, the backup pen post, "If you want to use my wood, it will take at least three years." "That, that," Cheng Lin was so anxious that he couldn't speak clearly, "You are not joking! Is this a joke? " "Brother Cheng San," Li Guangzhao replied calmly, "Don't be in a hurry, I will care about it myself. The roads in the world are all made by people. They are ordered to build gardens, and the Queen Mother presides over them. Are you still afraid that there will be no wood plants?" Cheng Lin had never been involved in major events before, so he was easily anxious. Hearing Li Guangzhao say so indifferently at this time, judging by his attitude, he seemed to have taken a reassurance.Thinking about what he said, it was really good, so he couldn't hold back his self-ashamedness, and said with a smile: "Don't blame me for being anxious! I met you, I counted it as my luck, and I hope to make up for the lack of this job. , who knew that you said that you would be able to use your wood plants after three years, so what will happen to the longevity of the Empress Dowager Cixi next year? How can I not be in a hurry!" "Hey!" Li Guangzhao complained, "So, Brother Cheng, you want to fill in the vacancy, so why didn't you tell me earlier?" "How did I tell you?" Cheng Lin asked, "Could it be that you have another way?" "There is no other way. You have already told me that my letter of voluntary service to Mu Zhi, add your name, and say how many of you are in it, and serve together. When the adults of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are happy, they will immediately replace you. Has the vacancy been filled?" At this point, Li Guangzhao stumbled and sighed again: "Cough! If you really miss the opportunity, think about it, it will be a waste of money!" Cheng Lin, who was obsessed with officials, was really frustrated. He stretched his face, frowned, and sighed for a long time. "No, no, no need to be like this. Third Brother Cheng, the official luck will come sooner or later, but it won't be too late." Li Guangzhao said, "Although the wood plants I have in various provinces will not be available until three years later, there are others. One way, at the latest next summer, will come in a steady stream. It will cost me more than a hundred thousand silver, which is incredible." "That's great!" Cheng Lin threw the worries just now out of the blue, and hurriedly asked, "What is the way? Hurry up, please tell me!" "You know, I have contacts with foreign merchants, or Hankou, or Shanghai, or Fuzhou, or Hong Kong. I try to raise hundreds of thousands of silver and buy foreign wood for import. Isn't it over?" Cheng Lin was overjoyed, and really wanted to thank Li Guangzhao, but the turn of events was so smooth that it was unbelievable, so he unconsciously burst out a sentence between his teeth: "Really?" If this sentence is badly asked, Li Guangzhao's complexion is like a yellow plum weather, the clouds are piled up, the darkness is dull, and there will be thunder when he comes down again! "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Cheng Lin deeply regretted his slip of the tongue, and hurriedly apologized, "I have such a problem, these two words are a mantra, and they come out accidentally. It's irrelevant, don't be angry with me." "My brother, why am I angry?" Li Guangzhao slowly recovered his calm expression, but suddenly expressed a very solemn attitude, "There is a saying, I have to say it first, the earliest I have to leave Beijing at the end of the year, good luck buying wood To, always next autumn." It won't be in time for next autumn, isn't he obviously changing his mind?After questioning again and again, Li Guangzhao said that he had spent all his money and had to write a letter back to send the money, so the trip would not take place until the end of the year. "It's easy!" Cheng Lin said, patting his chest. I don't know how he can handle it?They only invited a few good friends from the House of Internal Affairs to invite Li Guangzhao to dinner at Guangheju, and they took turns toasting him as the guest of honor. During the dinner party, Cheng Lin specially introduced a guest for Li Guangzhao. He said that he was his cousin, a Han soldier, the banner name was Bayanhe, and the Han surname was Li.Bayan and Xingwu, younger than Li Guangzhao, are justifiably called "big brother", and Li Guangzhao knows that he is a rich master when he sees his accessories, jadeite fingers, spring gold watch, and "Gu Yuexuan" snuff bottle. So he refused to call himself the eldest brother, and called him "fifth brother". When he was drunk and full, Cheng Lin asked Li Guangzhao and his cousin to go home together.Re-cooking tea and talking, Bayanhe seemed to be quite interested in Li Guangzhao's family background and asked intermittently. "board" has already set off, and now we just wait for Hanyang's letter to arrive, and we will leave immediately.In the words, it was vaguely explained that the reason why the ax was cut off was because of the purchase of flower boards, and Hanyang believed that it was natural to send money. So Bayanhe winked at Chenglin, the two confessed their sins, hid in the corridor, muttered, and talked for a long time, when they came back again, Chenglin was all smiles, and Bayanhe left immediately, obviously, This is to facilitate Cheng Lin's secret talks with Li Guangzhao. "Uncle Li," Cheng Lin asked, "I have prepared five hundred taels of silver for you, do you think it is enough?" Five hundred taels of silver went back to Hanyang, and the money was very rich, but Li Guangzhao was happy in his heart, but he refused to show his petty air.After pondering for a while, Xu Xu replied: "It's about the same! Fortunately, I will go to Beijing next year. I want to buy some Jilin ginseng and Kanto mink fur as gifts. Let's talk about it!" Cheng Lin borrowed money from his cousin who "lodged the account", and he had already said it was over, so he couldn't borrow any more, so he replied: "Not bad, not bad! It's going to take time to get good things, and it's too late this year." Yes, next year I will look for Uncle Li early." "Please!" Li Guangzhao cupped his hands in a serious manner, "The price doesn't matter, as long as the product is good." "Yes." Cheng Lin asked: "Uncle Li, you see, I will leave on that day so that I can pack my luggage." This means that he will go out of Beijing together.Li Guangzhao's mind was quick, and he felt that this move would strengthen his momentum, so he quickly replied: "I'm fine, I'll leave as soon as I say." So we discussed the itinerary and decided to go south from Tianjin by sea.但不能“说走就走”，内务府还得办公文，奏明皇帝，咨行有关省份，叙明有此李光昭报效木植一事，将来启运以前，由李光昭向该管州县报明根数长短、径大尺寸，转请督抚，发给护照，每逢关卡认真查验，免税放行。 “这是奉了旨了！”成麟拿着内务府批复李光昭的公事说：“就跟钦差一样。” 李光昭当差也很高兴，备办了一身光鲜的衣裳，用了一个十分玲珑的跟班，和成麟出京而去。 木植的来路虽还渺茫，而内务府办事却快得很，已经接头了六家包商，分包圆明园的工程，奏折一上，慈禧太后特地传谕召见明善，细问究竟。明善面奏，“工程共分两期进行，第一明是安佑宫、天地一家春和清夏堂，年内就要上梁；第二期是大宫门、正大光明殿、勤政殿、上下天光等处，这得明年春天开工。” “明年不是'太岁冲犯'，不宜开工吗？”慈禧太后问说。 “跟圣母皇太后回话，”明善答道，“只要不动正梁就不碍。再说，'圣天子百神呵护'，明年又是圣母皇太后四旬万寿，万万无碍。” 慈禧太后也是颇为相信风水的，心里一直有些嘀咕，现在听明善这两句话，觉得合情合理。是啊，她在想，太岁冲犯，也得看看地方，太后、皇帝的事，太岁也不能不讲情面。 What are you afraid of? 不过天地一家春和清夏堂，都属于万春园的范围，算是为两宫太后所兴修，皇帝也应该有他自己的燕息之地。慈禧太后起了爱子之心，便即问道：“上下天光要明年才能兴工，眼前得先替皇帝修一两处地方，明年夏天好祝”“是！”明善答道：“奴才几个已经敬谨筹划过了，好得是'双鹤斋'没有动什么，想尽快修起来，让皇上驻跸之用。” “双鹤斋？”慈禧太后静静回忆着，记起那就是“圆明园四十美景”中的“廓然大公”，在圆明园最大的一个池沼“福海”以北，背山面湖，除了正殿双鹤斋以外，还有规月桥、峭茜居、影山楼、披云径、倚吟堂、启秀亭、韵石淙等等名目，一共凑成八景。她还记得，双鹤斋后面有个大地，西北的水榭名为静嘉轩，有一年夏天，常在那里凭栏观荷。 于是她问：“池子里的荷花，怕早就没了吧？” “是！”明善答道，“奴才已经派花儿匠补种。还有中路的树，也在补种了。” “对了！树要多种，没有树成什么园子。”慈禧太后说到这里，突然问道，“大家报效的款子，有了多少了？” 提到这一层，明善便上了心事。上谕一下，反应极其冷淡但此时只有照实回答：“眼前还不到十万银子。” “还不到十万银子？”慈禧太后大为讶异，“报效的倒是些什么人啊？” “六爷领头报效两万，奴才不敢不尽心，可也不敢漫过六爷去，也是两万。”明善这样回答，隐然表示对恭王不满。这就象和尚化缘“开缘簿”一样，第一笔写得少了，一路下来都多不起来，如果恭王报效二十万，他就决不止于只捐献两万。 "anything else?" “崇纶一万、春佑三千、魁龄四千、诚明三千、桂清两千、文锡一万五。”明善磕一个头说：“奴才几个蒙天恩委任，恐惧不胜，只有尽力去办，就怕办不好。工程实在太大了！” 慈禧太后沉吟了好一会，断然决然地说：“你们只要尽心尽力去办，没有办不通的。” 明善是试探，而试探的结果，应该说是可以令人满意的。慈禧太后的言外之意，是不顾一切，非要把园子修起来不可！有此支持，不患料款两绌。明善便以工部左侍郎的本职，放手办事，一大车一大车的木料砖瓦，尽往海淀运去，工料款先欠着再说。 这样大兴土木，京城里自然视作大新闻，茶坊酒肆，都在谈论。但看过邸钞中那道饬令大小臣工报效园工的朱谕的人不多，了解内幕的人更少。因此，稍知各衙门办事规制的人，无不奇怪，这样的大工，工部及户部两衙门，何以毫无动静？ 户部和工部都是有意不管，但暗中有人力持正论，想设法打消此事，一个是工部尚书李鸿藻，一是个户部右侍郎桂清。这两个人都入值弘德殿，部里的事不大管。工部满缺尚书是佩内务府印钥的崇纶，自然支持明善父子，凡是与园工有关的拨款发料的公文，能瞒着李鸿藻，尽量瞒着。可是他们瞒不过桂清，因为他是内务府大臣之一。这一来就连李鸿藻也瞒不住了，他们俩的私交本来极好，由于对园工一事的看法相同，过从更密，内务府的一举一动，只要桂清知道的，李鸿藻亦无不了然。几次造膝密陈，苦口谏劝，说大乱甫平，正当与民休息，重开盛世，不可为此不急之务。又说圣学未成，必须刻苦向学，痛陈玩物丧志及光阴不再的大道理。甚至痛心疾首地切谏，此举大失人心，如果不及时停工，恐怕大乱复起。 这些道理是皇帝所驳不倒的，而且对于开蒙的师傅，隐然有着如对严父的感觉，就能驳也不敢。唯有报以沉默，或者很吃力地想出话来捕塞。这使得皇帝深以为苦，召见贵宝，问起李鸿藻如何得能了解园工的细节，才知道出于桂清的泄露。 那就很好办了，皇帝决定把桂清撵走。恰好盛京工部侍郎，出于圣祖第二十二子允枯之后的宗室奕庆，因为高年不耐关外苦寒，进京谋干，想调个缺，皇帝便命他留京当差，遗缺以桂清调补。桂清留下来的户部右侍郎一缺，皇帝提拔了“老丈人”，由崇绮以内阁学士调任。 皇帝对自己的这个安排很满意。果然，李鸿藻讲话的次数少了，就是有所谏劝，因为对内情隔膜，也比较容易搪塞。而最主要的是，皇帝自觉权力收放由心，无所不可，因而能够放开手来做自己爱做的事。 象慈禧太后一样，他也亲自参与园工细节的策划，经常用朱笔画了房屋格局、装修花样，交到内务府照办。同时很想再去看一次工程，顺便逛一逛闹市。 一动这个念头，首先就想到小李，只要跟他说了，他一定不肯痛痛快快答应，皇帝实在有些不耐烦，所以预先想了一个制他的办法。 这天没有书房，没有“引见”，传完午膳才十一点钟，皇帝把小李找了来，轻声说了句：“去找车来，到海淀去看看。” 小李跪了下来，刚说得一声“万岁爷”，便让皇帝打断了话。 “少噜苏！你倒是去不去？你不去，我另外找人。” 小李从未见过皇帝对他有这种不在乎的态度。他知道有好些人妒忌他得宠，无时无刻不是在找机会巴结，只要自己再迟疑一下，皇帝立刻就会另外找人，而且不愁找不到人。 “是！”小李非常见机，先痛快地答应着再说。